FINALLY, it's about to be "Día de los Muertos" (The Day of the Dead) ,and in MEXICO this means it's time to take out the face paint, and draw some "Catrina" makeup ART on our FACES.
1. photo by MaloMalverde
During this day, and quite frankly during whole season, you will find the image plastered EVERYWHERE. You can find it on tee shirts, murals, as sugar treats, and even as decorations on our Altars for the Dead !
2. Photo by wiki commons
This day has become a tradition us Mexicans LOVE... During November 1st we dress up as this alluring, colorful creature, and go to school, work, and even hit the clubs and attend to parties like this.
The “Catrina” started as a metal engraving done by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in 1873, although its original name was not actually “Catrina”, but “Calavera Garbancera''... Its name was derived from the name given to people who sold chickpeas in the streets, and although having native indigenous blood, they pretended to be European. 
3. Photo by MollySVH
The illustration was intended as a social critique of Mexican society, especially of those enriched during the presidency of Porfirio Diaz.
Guadalupe Posada was a Mexican Satirical Chronicler, well known for cultivating the Genre “Calavera Literaria” (lA Literate Skull)... Attaining to deliver content for the Mexican culture during that time, being published in the news (“Periódicos de Combate”), to analyze society and the government.
The Calaveras made fun of the living as well as the dead.....
4. Photo by Halloween HJB
Later, in 1947, the famous muralist Diego Rivera borrowed Posada's “Calavera Garbancera” to create the now world renowned Catrina. She was first seen in Rivera's mural “Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central” in which he placed the skeleton in the midst of many other relevant characters of mexican history, like Hernán Cortés, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Benito Juárez and even his own lover, famous painter, Frida Khalo. 
5. By wikki commons
Now a days the Catrina is a part of the rich landscape that is Mexican culture, and has become the most recognizable symbol of one of our most important and beloved celebrations, but not only that, it has now seen world recognition and appreciation thanks to movies like Disney's “Coco” & More Artistic content!
DID YOU KNOW!? The Editor of this blog and Mexican Painter VIII- CREATED THE SKULLS SERIES COLLECTION & THE MINI COLLECTIBLES ... FOLLOWING THIS MEXICAN HOLIDAY!
CONTACT ME for more information.
